The coffee shops I frequent in Hanoi are mostly old-worldish. Stories have been told in these cafes, family skeletons unveiled, relationships rocked and broken, tears shed.
They have history.
And dust. Good dust. Dust which belongs. Dust which cannot be rubbed, even scoured away.
Stained teapots and little handle-less cups are proferred to the old-timers in a quaint custom following their morning coffee. The green tea cleanses the palate and legitimises a further half-hour of memoir and yarn. The Vietnamese love a chat.
And I really love watching them.
Sounds idylic. I love sitting in little places and drinking tea.
P.S. Great photo! Totally shows the spirit of what you are talking about.
Posted by: Lucie J. | 22 April 2009 at 02:50 AM
When I was in Vietnam, I noticed the long-lived dust stains on the cups and coffee ware and thought about how many years the little cafe's, which looked like temporary set-ups, had been operating, of how many people had previously enjoyed drinking there. Good stuff indeed...from a modern world where all dust and stains are looked down upon and quickly scrubbed away.
Posted by: Riz | 22 April 2009 at 10:20 PM
Very poetic. I love the stains in well used teapots and teacups. Lots of love and comfort have passed through those vessels!
Posted by: Dallas from Bitchin' Lifestyle | 23 April 2009 at 04:29 AM
Sounds perfect! I love that pic ... it really captures the essence of what VN was when I first got there.
Posted by: Annerly Cooper | 23 April 2009 at 08:39 PM
Thanks all...it's one of my favourite places to while away an hour. Let's hope some of these places manage to survive.
Annerly oi! What's up!
Posted by: Sticky | 23 April 2009 at 10:11 PM
Good boo! Emailed ya! Blog is really taking off! Am so proud of ya!
Posted by: Annerly Cooper | 24 April 2009 at 04:54 AM